CAPLIS-SLIGO ROAD RESIDENTS RECEIVE UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES IN REGARDS TO LEASING MINERAL RIGHTS!!
In 2005 (and prior) my neighbors and I were approached by individuals affiliated with Chesapeake in regards to leasing our mineral rights for $100.00 per acre, etc. At the time, it seemed somewhat acceptable, I guess. It is somewhat strange the telephone number for the individual I dealt with in '05 has ignored my recent phone calls and the voicemail is full.
Now this is an eye-opener, get ready to be shocked.
March 2008; Weeks before we, the residents of N. LA received "breaking news" of the Haynesville Shale, my neighbors and I received checks via certified USPS for $100.00 per acre; note keyword "check" (not draft). Not only myself but many other residents owning property on Caplis Sligo Road accepted this little to nothing amount they offered. We, the residents were uninformed of local gas drilling and findings thus it seemed reasonable-- same amount as our last lease; nothing was thought of it.
We, the property owners in this area are disgusted and feel manipulated by Chesapeake's unethical leasing campaign. It is awful this company believes that the mailing of checks to reinstate your lease was conducted fairly and ethical. Without doubt, they knew they were ripping off people, sadly it was done intentionally on their part. Yet, this company- Chesapeake states they are "Doing the Nation a World of Good" to which is broadcasted all over their website. Now as I drive throughout Shreveport/Bossier, advertisements on billboards from Chesapeake states, " We are for the people." Hmph!
Apparently Chesapeake believed sending a check with a disclaimer printed on it, no additional paperwork included, was going to do our community a world of good. Once checks were deposited, lessor agreed to the prior lease agreements which apply for an additional two years. At this point, I am shocked I didn't receive a letter from their corporate office-- "Thank you for allowing us to deceive you in addition to ripping you off! We appreciate the fact you have a lack of education on mineral leasing... We certainly appreciate your business."
I am unaware if other companies participated in this unethical business practice, let it be known Chesapeake was! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know all the oil and gas companies which were popping up locally (approximently within the last two years) were aware of these "hot-spots" before it was made public in late April & May 2008. Who honestly believes any oil and gas companies would release their findings, making it publicly known within days after their discovery? We all know this event did not "go down" in that fashion, it was kept a secret as long as possible.
I spoke to a CORPORATE LEVEL employee at Chesapeake regarding unethical business practices utilized by "such a caring company." I received poor assistance and no explanation was given on why residents were not informed a month later. Coincidentally, it was made public once the deadline on the checks were dated. I also expressed my thoughts regarding their full intentions on sending out checks to individuals with "cash-by this date or voided" to ensure people would cash them. All in all, they win.
Perhaps they should post the comment their corporate employee stated on their billboards, "If we knew this was going to be as big as it is, we would have leased out to the entire area before other companies could have the opportunity." Hmm.. something like, leased out to people before they were informed of the Haynesville Shale for $100.00/acre! He continued to beat around the bush, informing me they were unaware the Shale in March. Throughout the conversation, it was obvious he felt compassion yet he continued to stand behind this seedy company.
I am now aware of Chesapeake's unacceptable business practices, including but not limited to taking advantage of landowners. It is sad to know that oil and gas companies are practicing unethical behavior to insure they will make millions while ripping off hard working American citizens not only in South Bossier, but the entire country.
I have contacted several attorneys in the area for legal advice, to my surprise they are all somehow affiliated with these manipulative, uncaring, useless oil and gas drilling companies.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE THAT MY NEIGHBORS AND I DID.
EDUCATED YOURSELF ON OIL AND GAS MINERAL LEASING!
JOIN IN WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP! DO NOT SETTLE FOR THE FIRST, SECOND.. NOR TENTH OFFER-- MAKE THEM PAYUP as they deserve to!
Any information on disputing a lease that was accepted by cashing a check would be very helpful and appreciated. Please let me know as I will inform my neighbors. Thank you.
Now this is an eye-opener, get ready to be shocked.
March 2008; Weeks before we, the residents of N. LA received "breaking news" of the Haynesville Shale, my neighbors and I received checks via certified USPS for $100.00 per acre; note keyword "check" (not draft). Not only myself but many other residents owning property on Caplis Sligo Road accepted this little to nothing amount they offered. We, the residents were uninformed of local gas drilling and findings thus it seemed reasonable-- same amount as our last lease; nothing was thought of it.
We, the property owners in this area are disgusted and feel manipulated by Chesapeake's unethical leasing campaign. It is awful this company believes that the mailing of checks to reinstate your lease was conducted fairly and ethical. Without doubt, they knew they were ripping off people, sadly it was done intentionally on their part. Yet, this company- Chesapeake states they are "Doing the Nation a World of Good" to which is broadcasted all over their website. Now as I drive throughout Shreveport/Bossier, advertisements on billboards from Chesapeake states, " We are for the people." Hmph!
Apparently Chesapeake believed sending a check with a disclaimer printed on it, no additional paperwork included, was going to do our community a world of good. Once checks were deposited, lessor agreed to the prior lease agreements which apply for an additional two years. At this point, I am shocked I didn't receive a letter from their corporate office-- "Thank you for allowing us to deceive you in addition to ripping you off! We appreciate the fact you have a lack of education on mineral leasing... We certainly appreciate your business."
I am unaware if other companies participated in this unethical business practice, let it be known Chesapeake was! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know all the oil and gas companies which were popping up locally (approximently within the last two years) were aware of these "hot-spots" before it was made public in late April & May 2008. Who honestly believes any oil and gas companies would release their findings, making it publicly known within days after their discovery? We all know this event did not "go down" in that fashion, it was kept a secret as long as possible.
I spoke to a CORPORATE LEVEL employee at Chesapeake regarding unethical business practices utilized by "such a caring company." I received poor assistance and no explanation was given on why residents were not informed a month later. Coincidentally, it was made public once the deadline on the checks were dated. I also expressed my thoughts regarding their full intentions on sending out checks to individuals with "cash-by this date or voided" to ensure people would cash them. All in all, they win.
Perhaps they should post the comment their corporate employee stated on their billboards, "If we knew this was going to be as big as it is, we would have leased out to the entire area before other companies could have the opportunity." Hmm.. something like, leased out to people before they were informed of the Haynesville Shale for $100.00/acre! He continued to beat around the bush, informing me they were unaware the Shale in March. Throughout the conversation, it was obvious he felt compassion yet he continued to stand behind this seedy company.
I am now aware of Chesapeake's unacceptable business practices, including but not limited to taking advantage of landowners. It is sad to know that oil and gas companies are practicing unethical behavior to insure they will make millions while ripping off hard working American citizens not only in South Bossier, but the entire country.
I have contacted several attorneys in the area for legal advice, to my surprise they are all somehow affiliated with these manipulative, uncaring, useless oil and gas drilling companies.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE THAT MY NEIGHBORS AND I DID.
EDUCATED YOURSELF ON OIL AND GAS MINERAL LEASING!
JOIN IN WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP! DO NOT SETTLE FOR THE FIRST, SECOND.. NOR TENTH OFFER-- MAKE THEM PAYUP as they deserve to!
Any information on disputing a lease that was accepted by cashing a check would be very helpful and appreciated. Please let me know as I will inform my neighbors. Thank you.
Views: 228
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by easttexas12 on
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Yeah, there was a time period between the H.S. vertical test wells completions and the announcement of the H.S. in this large region of ours when O&G had the information and the public was clueless. Many a family was signed during that period. I would imagine O&G hasn't heard the last from them folks.
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Permalink Reply by Taken Advantage 71112 on
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I will look into creating a website allowing all affected peoples to sign a petition as we can submit this to these companies and ask for a real explanation on their unethical behavior. Are you aware of the O&G companies that were involved in this?
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Yes, If you had a vertical H.S. test well in your area completed BEFORE you signed up with that company in your area that drilled the test well, chances are they didn't disclose to you or the public the production of that prolific H.S. well data. Would the courts consider this preditorial behavior? I don't know the answer to that question.
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Permalink Reply by gary brannon on
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The answer is no. you drill a well to see if the area has promise. When you get data back suggesting further exploration you start leasing more. Just because a test well looks good doesn't mean any subsequent wells will perform commercially. Drilling wells is a crap shoot. If all were good everyone would be in the business.
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Permalink Reply by Randy on -
I, and the rest of us, are sorry that you didn't research it any more before entering a binding legal contract. Perhaps if nothing else it can be a lesson to others.
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Permalink Reply by Johnyd on
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Randy, We signed one years ago.....and it is up now because of no production but you dont understand...Prior to this if a gas company came and offered you 100 an acre that was great....you stood a chance of making money off of royalties.....There was nothing to read about up untill march....that was it....its like someone coming to you and telling you your car you baught last week is now worth 1/2 of what you paid for it..because the mnfct went out of business....then it was the going rate...you couldve read all you wanted you wouldnt have ever know that your car was about to be worth half what you paid for it....Just the oposite in this case.......
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Thank you for informing Randy on the situation a little more clearly than I stated above. People assume my neighbors and I should "get over it" but I assure if this situation happened to them, i.e. Randy, I bet his attitude would change. Were you a victim of this practice by a O&G company in your area?
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Permalink Reply by Randy on
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I understand, I was involved in it, but what you don't understand (and won't believe) is that we as landman didn't know the price was going to do this. It surprised us as much as it surprised the landowners. Many of us go all over the country signing leases just like that for money that is just like that. We had no reason to be suspicious either.
I know a lot of you guys think that we are out to get you, but in reality, I don't know many people who would do anything that wouldn't let them sleep good at night. Of course there are a few bad apples, but its not the whole orchard.
Randy
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Permalink Reply by Randy on
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Yes, we are a sister company of Dale Resources.
All shale plays are not the same. For every shale play that is paying bonuses of $20k+, I will show you one that is leasing for $200.
Drilling costs are HUGELY different, the shale is different, and no, we didn't know 6 months ago that is was possibly the 4th largest shale field in the world. I didn't. Maybe I get lumped in the "bad guys", I guess I have to take that. At the point that people request that I not share my opinions I'll stop posting.
I've tried here to be informative and not use this politically. I suppose I can't work for O&G and also be an honest individual?
Randy
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Permalink Reply by Randy on
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Hehe, it was a Randy-bashing party up there.
I can handle that, but I'll type back :)
I just don't want people lumping all of us landmen into a category of snakeoil vendors & fly by night people.
Just cast the bad apples out of the orchard.
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Permalink Reply by Gone Fishin on -
I feel you man. You've got a job to do just like the rest of us. No one is in the oil business to pay out more money than you have to. Its unfortunate for the land owner that it happens like that. Its still happening in shelby county with us. watch your wallet.
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